OLD PHRASES TAKE ON NEW MEANING

   I was thinking recently about some of the words and phrases that have been bantered about over the past eight years and wondering how they might have new meaning now. For example, can it be said that people such as Rush Limbaugh are “speaking truth to power?” When Obama’s policies don’t work the wonders as promised, can we say “Obama lied, people cried?” Is Barack Obama, after less than four years in the Senate and a virtual unknown four years ago a “winner in life’s lottery?” As we complain about the “Obama regime” as run by “King Barry,” maybe we can identify with the words of Howard Dean in saying “Mr. President, we want our country back.” 

   Once we confiscate 90% of what business owners and managers earn, can we finally acknowledge they are also “hard-working Americans?” Would it be fair to say that 2006 was the year the Democrats “took over Congress?” Since Tom Brokaw certainly won’t say it, can a Fox News anchor refer to the results of the 2008 election as the “people having a temper tantrum?” 

   Will Sarah Palin do us the honor of being the first to scream into the microphone that she is “patriotic” and she “has a right to criticize any president?” (Come on, Sarah, I know you can screech as well as Hillary!) And where is Barbra Streisand? Has she complained to anyone that “the same party runs all of the government?” Which Republican senator will be the first to go on national television and declare that Obama “will go down as the worst president in history?” Which famous Illinoisan (Gary Sinese maybe?) will be the first to say he is “ashamed that Obama is from Illinois?”  Can it be said that Jeremiah Wright or Al Sharpton and their “left wing zealots” make up the “religious left?” Is George Soros the leader of the “vast left-wing conspiracy?”   Are we now free to discuss Keith Olberman and others on “hate television?” Which right-wing comedian (are there any??) will put together a tour of “Another Night with Barack Obama” and make light of his visits to 57 states or his pompous meanderings? On what date can we expect to see the premiere of the new movie “B.O.” about the lovable but naïve young president who can’t put together a Cabinet that knows what the IRS is or who can’t tell when he’s being played by foreign leaders? Or how about the debut of Comedy Central’s new show “Li’l Bo,” about the spoiled son of a single flower child, raised and doted upon by his wealthy grandmother in Hawaii?   And the next time ACORN leads a bus tour of CEO homes can they be accused of “going into the dark of the night to the homes of innocent women and children and disrupting their lives?” If the economy hasn’t improved within the next few months, can Mitch McConnell declare “This war is lost?” 

   And what about the “two America’s,” those who have read the Constitution and those who haven’t? Since a previous Congress has already been referred to as being like the Taliban could we say that this one is “like Bolsheviks?” Can John Boehner complain that Nancy Pelosi has “stifled debate on the stimulus bill?” Or can Harry Reid be criticized for not “reaching across the aisle?” Or can we say that Obama is “tone deaf” to the views of the public?

   Bumper stickers can now proclaim “Out of my back pocket! Now!” Or “Death is not a family value.” Or “Impeach the son of a Barack.”  Or maybe just the very simple one that says “Freedom Day: 1-20-2013.” (OK, I have to give our side credit. They’ve already come up with much cleverer bumper stickers than any variation on those the left had!)

AT LONG LAST, SOME OUTRAGE

   During the Bush administration I was furious about the level of attacks, not just on his polices, but on him personally. I knew that this was part of a plan hatched by the left early in the Bush presidency to win back power by increasing his negatives. Every time I heard any of their outrageous remarks or saw the degree to which they fought everything on his agenda, including judicial nominees, I commented to anyone within earshot, “If the Democrats ever regain the presidency I hope our side returns in kind.” (Side note: I never dreamed it would happen so quickly and with such a radical leftist!)

   So I felt very frustrated with the “kid gloves” treatment Obama got from so many conservatives and Republicans during the first six weeks or so of his presidency. Some may say “Well, what about Hannity and Limbaugh?” While they certainly opposed his policies from the very beginning, I frankly was a little surprised at how mild I considered their comments to be. In fact, for six to eight weeks I would have said that Rush was harder on Clinton during his first few weeks than on Obama. Of course, keep in mind that I was comparing his remarks to the likes of Keith Olberman, Michael Moore, Rosie O’Donnell, Chuck Schumer, and Maxine Waters (or insert your favorite loud-mouth Hollywood leftist, almost any other Democratic senator or almost any other member of the Congressional Black Caucus).

   So I must say that I’ve been pleasantly surprised to finally see some outrage developing over Obama’s leftist lurch. Oddly, the first signs didn’t even come from the sources one might have expected. My first shout of agreement came when Rick Santelli went into a rant over the taxes and stimulus plan. That was followed by some grassroots outrage (a la the team parties that occurred yesterday). Of course Rush and Hannity were not far behind. It was about three weeks ago when I first felt that Rush began hitting his stride in commenting on Obama (actually around the time of his CPAC speech). Gradually the drumbeats have grown, not just from the talking heads but from acquaintances I talk with. 

   Normally I’m a “peace loving” kind of guy, so I feel a bit out of uncomfortable crying out for outrage. But unfortunately it worked for the Dems. They were “outraged” at the outcome of the 2000 election, but they became particularly so after the 2004 election. The result? The growth of leftist websites, the ability to raise huge amounts of cash, and pushing their party further to the left than most old-time Democrats could ever have imagined. So okay, I want our side to rally in the same fashion. 

   After Election night in November I immediately began getting e-mails and pleas for money from various conservative groups ready to take on Obama and the Congress. But most were wrapped in fairly conciliatory tones, and some were even calling for a new direction, one that would lead us closer to the opposition. I’m not wealthy, so I knew what little I might be able to give would hardly be noticed, but I determined that if I made any contributions over the next couple of years it would be to the group that appeared most willing to take the fight to the other side. (I’m still watching closely, but so far it looks like the National Republican Trust might be that group). I recall that, when the brouhaha was going on regarding Rush and Michael Steele, I had entirely different concerns. I very much like Michael Steele and felt his comments about Rush were taken somewhat out of context. But my issue is this: Michael Steele seems like a really nice guy. And I’m not sure a “nice guy” can beat this bunch. Bring back Karl Rove, Tom DeLay (although he’s been sounding rather lame lately), or someone in the spirit of Lee Atwater. Which of our websites displays the venom of Moveon.org or the Huffington Post? The other side set the terms of the debate. Now they’re throwing parties. Let’s hope  our “tea parties” will be the first of many celebratory parties, brought on by a little more outrage!

As I write this the country is on the cusp of the Visitation. The Arrival. We fully expect him to arrive on a donkey, as the crowds lay down palm branches in his path. The Perfect One, the answer to the prayers of the masses, is about to ascend to his throne, and the Hated One is to be driven out of the temple, forever to be cursed by the scribes and the orators. 

In anticipation songs, poems, plays and books are being written, to be performed for the pleasure of the royal couple. Visions were seen in the West, and all of Hollywood will be bringing their gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Those of us who know that there is a God and it ain’t Obama will be drowned out with the cries of “Give us Barackamus.”   How dare anyone blaspheme the One! Just listen to the news media, watch entertainment programs or even talk to a co-worker, and you’ll be convinced you’re the only person in America (or the world, for that matter) who is not entranced by the Presence. 

Who will be our voice? Certainly not the minority party, so anxious to be seen as bi-partisan that they’ve lost all pretense of principles. Certainly not the conservative media, many of whom have already supped with the incoming deity. Certainly not huge numbers of the clergy, so anxious to promote unity and racial harmony that almost every other virtue has been pushed aside. 

So how do we survive the Day? Many of us will turn off our TV’s or flip over to a 50’s rerun. Our Tuesday and Wednesday newspapers will land in File 13.  We’ll listen to music on our Ipod as co-workers are screaming, oohing and aahng as they view TV’s brought in for the Moment. After work we may go to a movie, providing we can find one that doesn’t trash Bush, Nixon, Republicans in general, the military, or God.

Can we survive the next four—or God forbid eight (twelve, sixteen?) years? We will, because our faith tells us that Truth ultimately prevails. Warm fuzzies can only be sustained for so long. “The foolish man builds his house upon the sand.” But for the present a lot of people are anxious to play in the sandbox.